More students taking the ACT The average ACT score of Tennessee students dipped slightly this year, but the state set a new record in the number of students taking the college entrance exam. Nearly 64,000 students, or 98% of those eligible, scored an average composite of 20 on the ACT, according to the Tennessee Department of Education. The exceptionally high overall participation rate shows the benefits of the state's free ACT retake opportunity program for Tennessee's students. In addition, free tuition is adding to the number of students applying for admission to college. “More Tennessee students than ever before are taking advantage of the ACT and ACT retake,” observes Tennessee Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn. “It is critical that we continue to increase access to these high-quality opportunities for all students, no matter where they live. This is one way that we will build a foundation to set all students on a path to success.”